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Network News Rights & Democracy Network Issue 5 March 21, 2006 |
NEWS FROM THE NETWORK
National Event and Mingler this week in Montreal
Network members representing Delegations across Canada will be in Montreal on March 23 & 24, 2006 for the Network’s national event to discuss and debate issues related to Canada’s foreign policy with representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), and to share ideas, vision, and energy from their experience in building their Delegations and organizing projects.
On the evening of March 23rd at Montreal ’s Théâtre Plaza (6505 St-Hubert, metro Beaubien), all Network student members, faculty resource people, and partners are invited to the much-anticipated national mingler. This year, the evening will begin with a cocktail at 6:30 pm featuring presentations by Jean-Louis Roy, the President of Rights & Democracy, and Henri-Paul Normandin, the Director of Human Rights and Gender Equity at Foreign Affairs’ Health and Population Division. The Snap Caravan Band will perform, and draws for Network gear and human rights books and magazines will be held. A DJ will spin later into the night, and an evening buffet will be served. If you have not already reserved your place, please contact Geneviève Paul at gpaul@dd-rd.ca or at (514) 283-6073, ext.224.
For more information about the national event, visit: http://www.droitsdemocratie.net/en/reseau/nouvelles/2006-03-23-mingler.htm
DELEGATION NEWS
Dalhousie Delegation seminars discuss Canadian foreign policy
The Dalhousie Delegation series of seminars on Canadian foreign policy began with a talk in January by Stephen Brown, Assistant Professor at the University of Ottawa on the International Policy Statement: A Role of Pride and Influence in the World. John Slocombe, one of the project coordinators, said “It was definitely the best speech that I had heard all year.”
With around 50 people present, including public servants, academics, military officers, activists and of course students, Dr. Brown analyzed the foreign policy statement by questioning the government’s motives for each statement or policy stance. He also discussed the issues related to the government’s system of concentrating 75% of aid in 25 of the world’s countries.
To read an abstract about Dr. Stephen Brown’s talk by Dalhousie Delegation member Chris Dyck, click here: http://www.rightsdemocracy.net/delegations/ns/dalhousie/en/projets.htm.
University of Winnipeg Delegation hosts Senator Roméo Dallaire
On March 9 th, the Rights & Democracy Delegation of the Global College at the University of Winnipeg welcomed Senator Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaire to speak on human rights reform in front of a crowd of close to 1000 people. The following morning, the Delegation organized a more intimate gathering where a group of students were able to have an in-depth conversation with the Lieutenant-General. This event was followed by a presentation on Indigenous Peoples, Group Rights, and Diplomacy by McMaster University ’s Marshall Beier, and then in the afternoon, a very dynamic workshop was held on the future of human rights.
For more information about the Delegation and its events, visit: http://www.rightsdemocracy.net/delegations/man/winnipeg/en/index.htm.
Presentations on human rights abuses in West Papua at UQAM and Laval
Yan Christian Warinussy
If your Delegation would like to organize a similar event, contact Elana Wright at ewright@dd-rd.ca.
For more information about the John Humphrey Award, and about 2006 recipient Yan Christian Warinussy, visit: http://www.dd-rd.ca/site/humphrey_award/index.php?lang=en.
Carleton Delegation explores irregular migration with film 'Dying to Leave'
The Rights and Democracy Delegation of Carleton University is holding a film and public forum evening on March 31, 2006 at the Ottawa Public Library Main Branch auditorium. The documentary film, “Dying to Leave”, explores the current worldwide boom in irregular migration. Through an investigation of the many circumstances that force migrants from their places of origins, the film describes the difficulties involved in their arduous journeys and reveals what awaits them in their new world. Following the screening, a discussion on the human rights implications for non-status migrants will feature panelists William Walters of Carleton University, Chantal Tie of South Ottawa Community Legal Services, Cheryl Hotchkiss of Amnesty International, and Faduma Abderrahman of The Catholic Immigration Centre. Coffee, provided by event sponsor Bridgehead, will be served. All proceeds from the event go towards the Canadian Council for Refugees. Bridgehead coffee will be served.
Friday, March 31
Doors open at 6:30 pm. Evening begins at 7 pm
Ottawa Public Library Main Branch Auditorium
120 Metcalfe St .
Admission: $5.
To view the announcement, click here: http://www.rightsdemocracy.net/delegations/ont/carleton/en/projets.htm
Rights & Democracy NEWS
Long-term Commitment to Human Rights Essential for Success of Canadian Mission in Afghanistan
source: WFP / Maarten Roest
March 10, 2006 – Canada and its international partners must ensure that their military operations in Afghanistan are matched by a commitment to long-term assistance for the advancement of human rights, peacebuilding and gender equality, says Rights & Democracy.
Violence and intimidation are facts of everyday life for Afghanistan ’s struggling human rights movement. Extremist groups continue to target Afghans involved in the promotion of women’s rights, and the burning down of dozens of schools for girls and the murder of at least two male teachers in recent months are reminders of both the perilous security situation and the extreme opposition to human rights that persists in Afghanistan.
Read More
HUMAN RIGHTS NEWS
Côte d’Ivoire: UN warns of worrying rights situation, with media fanning hatred
Cote d'Ivoire
source : UN News
17 March – The human rights situation in Côte d’Ivoire is causing deep concern with virulent articles in the media encouraging violence and the resumption of conflict in a country split between Government and rebel forces since 2002, United Nations officials have warned.
FULL STORY>>
Source: UN News Centre
INTERNATIONAL DAYS & YEARS
21 March 2005: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21 March. On that day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid "pass laws". Proclaiming the Day in 1966, the General Assembly called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination (resolution 2142 (XXI)).
Source: http://www.un.org/depts/dhl/racial/
JOBS & INTERNSHIPS
The Network’s on-line forum announces job and internship opportunities in Canada and around the world. To access the forum, you must be a member of the Rights & Democracy Network. Become a member by signing up here: http://www.rightsdemocracy.net/en/membres/devenez_membre.htm
If you are already a member, visit the Forum’s jobs and internships section by clicking here: http://www.droitsdemocratie.net/network-forum/index.php?login_lang=en
Network News is a bi-weekly newsletter published by the Rights & Democracy Network.
The Network Team:
Coordinator: Cynthia Gervais
Liaison Officer: Elana Wright
Webmaster: Sylvain Aubé
Administrative Assistant: Diane Migneault
Rights & Democracy Network
1001, boul. de Maisonneuve E., Suite 1100
Montréal, Québec H2L 4P9 CANADA
Phone: (514) 283-6073 #259
Toll-free: 1-877-736-3833
Fax: (514) 283-3792
network@dd-rd.ca
www.rightsdemocracy.net
Past issues :
Issue 04 (March 1, 2006)
Issue 03 (February 16, 2006)
Issue 02 (January 31, 2006)
Issue 01 (January 17, 2006)
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